Department denies housing statistics unreliable

Claim that use of ESB meter connection data amplifies levels of actual house supply

Experts claim the 15,000 figure for house completions last year being used by Minister for Housing Simon Coveney bears little relationship to the number of new homes being built. Photograph: Cyril Byrne

The Department of Housing has rejected claims that its measure of house building in the economy is unreliable and may be inflating the true level of construction by as much as 50 per cent.

Experts claim the 15,000 figure for house completions last year being used by Minister for Housing Simon Coveney bears little relationship to the number of new homes being built.